NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Creative collective Sunday School crafts images of the African diaspora in its new exhibition

- Liza Agrba

AT 24 YEARS OLD, JOSEF ADAMU was an aspiring model struggling to gain traction in his career. Then he realized that if he wanted to find a path forward in his industry, he should carve one out for himself. Adamu initially wanted to start a modelling agency, but found the concept too restrictive. Instead, while working out of his mother's basement in Toronto, he conceived of Sunday School, a creative brand agency that would work with companies on visually striking projects. His agency's services include corporate campaign art direction, social media marketing, photography and videography, with a strong focus on stories and subjects from the African diaspora.

At first, Adamu wanted to control every shoot and project himself. "I didn't leave much creative breathing room for people working with me," he says. As the agency's only permanent member, he primarily worked with freelancers, whom he hired on a project-by-project basis. Over the years, as he built up an international network of photographers, cinematographers, stylists and makeup artists, he learned to embrace creative collaboration. "The people behind the scenes are part of my culture," he says. "Because the work is coming from our community, we can be intentional with every detail." Soon, major brands noticed something special about Sunday School: the agency has worked on campaigns for Nike, Converse, Topshop and Sony, and celebrities like Lupita Nyong'o have recognized its work.